WHO: Cullen Rutherford & Neria Surana WHAT: Catching up on the last ten years. Or rather, one person catching up on the last ten years and another settling unresolved feelings a year out of time. WHEN: After this WHERE: Neria's Apartment RATING: PG STATUS: In Progress
Cullen wasn't sure how he was going to handle this. He'd cared about Neria. He'd cared about her long before she became the Hero of Ferelden. Long before she was beloved throughout Thedas, she had just been his friend. He'd known his duty. He'd known the restrictions and the expectations that were placed on members of the Order. He also knew that plenty of his colleagues violated them, but he hadn't wanted to lower himself to that level. Especially knowing that, even if he was allowed to marry even whilst within the Order, the same privilege was not extended to her. And Cullen was not a fling type. He never had been. Affection had always been difficult to him, and the possibility of fulfilling an opportunity lost so long ago without the same restrictions upon them was overwhelming to him. He'd tried to spell out how he felt via the device he'd been given, but the written word often failed him. If he were honest with himself, the spoken word would likely not yield any better results. But at least, this way, he would be able to see her when he said it instead of staring at a screen in anticipating of some sort of reply.
He'd hesitated when he reached her door, lingering outside as he quietly adjusted his clothing, consciously smoothing out every wrinkle or dimple, before raising a hand to knock at the door.
Andraste protect him. This was going to go horribly. He could already tell.